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Y UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICEG JOHN W. LEFFERTS, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ROBERT B. PUMPHREY, OF SAME PLAGE. l

HORSE-DETACHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 245,730, dated August 16, 1881.

Application filed January 22, 1881. (Model.)

To atl whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. LEEEERTs, of the city of Baltimore and State ot' Maryland, have invented certain Improvements in Oarriages and other Vehicles, of which the following is a specification; and I do hereby declare that in the same is contained afull, clear, and exact description of my said invention, reference bein g had to the accompanying drawro ings, and io the letters of reference marked thereon.

rIhe -iirst part ot' my invention refers to improvements in the single-tree and the tracedetaehing devices applied thereto, and thesecond part of the said invention has reference to improved means ot' attaching the breechingstraps to the shafts of the vehicle, the object ot' this partof the invention being to admit of the automatic detachmentot' the harnessfroin zo the said vehicle after its disconnection from the `single-tree aforesaid.

In the further description ot' my invention and the manner in which the same is operated, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof', and in which- Figure I is an exterior view of a carriage to which my invention is applied. Figs. II and lll are views ot' the singletree on an enlarged scale. Figs. IV and V are views ofthe 3o improved device for attaching the breechingstraps to the shafts of the vehicle.

Similar letters ot' reference indicate similar parts in all the views.

A is the single-tree, which, in the main, is

ot' the ordinary description, and connectedV to the carriage in the usual manner.

B B are hooked levers pivoted to the ends of the single-tree, the hooked ends of which hooks, as described, the strain on the traces 5o causes the said levers to assume the position shown in dotted lines, which effects the release Ot' the traces. The means for communicating motion to the rod D consists of alever, F, the free end of which i-s adapted for connection with a strap extending to the interior of the vehicle.

In order to prevent the accidental release of the levers' B when there is no strain on the traces, I provide the single -treevwith the 6o springs a or equivalentdevices. 1

The breeching-straps, which in ordinary cases are fastened directly to the shat'rs of the vehicle, are in the present invention attached to removable blocks b, resting in suitable carriers, c, secured to the under part ot' the shafts.

In backing the vehicle, the blocksb are brought into contact with the ends of the carriers, but

in the forward movement ofthe horse, afterits release from the single-tree, the blocks are 7o withdrawn t'rom the carriers and all connection'between the horse and thevehicle severed.

When my invention is applied to a vehicle having a pole instead ot' shafts, the removable 75 block and the carrier are applied to the pole and connect with the breast-strap ot' the harness.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and Wish to secure by Letters 8o Patent. ot' the United States, is

1.l In combination with the single tree A, the hooked pivoted levers B, hooks O, rod D, and cams E, the said rod beingprovided with means for turning it toeectthe disconnection ot' thetraces, substantiallyas herein specitied.

2. As means for connecting the breeehingstraps to the shafts 'ot' a carriage or other vehicle, the carrier c, combined with the removable block b, substantially as herein set forth. 9o

In testimony whereofl I have hereunto subscribed my name this 18th day of March,A. D. 1879.

JOHN W. LEFFERTS.

Witnesses:

WM. F. EBERWEIN, J No. T. MADDOX. 

